‘Be Our Guest’ at academy

Published:13:07Saturday 05 September 2015

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Budding young thespians from a local amateur musical theatre company will come together to perform their own version of a Disney classic.

Last this month, the Youth Academy of Blyth’s Musical Theatre Company will be celebrating local young talent by staging a production of Beauty and the Beast, and organisers say tickets are selling fast.

The fairy tale begins with an enchantress transforming an arrogant prince into a beast. His servants are also magically turned into household items and the only way for him to break the curse is to find true love, otherwise he will remain a beast forever.

Ten years later, book-loving Belle accidentally ventures to the castle, meeting the transformed household and eventually the Beast. A rose and its falling petals, meanwhile, indicates just how little time the prince has to break the spell.

The tale features rousing renditions and dancing dinner plates, and flits effectively between comedy and tragedy.

The younger branch of Blyth’s theatre company began five years ago, enabling junior performers to flourish.

They have since staged Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and Grease, while also taking part in the society’s major productions, including The Wizard of Oz and Oliver.

The actors are aged between seven and 14.

Older members of the youth group have been taking school exams, but are still helping backstage to ensure that the musical runs smoothly.

The production takes place at St Bede’s Church in Newsham from Thursday, September 24 until Saturday 26. All performances begin at 7pm, with Saturday including a matinee at 2.30pm.

Tickets are available on 07762 036011, or by emailing Juneafisher@yahoo.com